Voters say no to Keirs football and Taylor Swift freebies: Two thirds of Brits say it is unacceptable for PM Starmer and MPs to take tickets to games and pop concerts from donors and businesses
Keir Starmer is facing a major backlash to his decision to accept free tickets to football matches with almost two thirds of Brits saying he should not take them.
Keir Starmer is facing a major backlash to his decision to accept free tickets to football matches with almost two thirds of Brits saying he should not take them.
The Prime Minister and members of his senior team are under fire for taking tickets to Arsenal games and Taylor Swift concerts at the same time as they prepare a Budget tax raid.
Sir Keir has defended his decision to accept corporate hospitality at the Emirates on security grounds, while Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said it was hard to turn down gig tickets when her daughter is a Swiftie.
Some 64 per cent of all voters polled by YouGov say it is unacceptable for them to do so, including a majority (53 per cent) of Labour voters. Just a quarter of voters thought it was ok.
The PM and members of his senior team are under fire for taking tickets to Arsenal games and Taylor Swift concerts at the same time as they prepare a Budget tax raid.
Sir Keir has defended his decision to accept corporate hospitality at the Emirates on security grounds, while Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said it was hard to turn down gig tickets when her daughter is a Swiftie
Rachel Reeves admitted Labours freebies bonanza looks a bit odd today as she tries to quell infighting at conference.
In a round of interviews, the Chancellor defended taking £7,500 worth of clothes from a donor during the election campaign. She also confirmed that she accepted free holiday accommodation in Cornwall valued at £1,400 for her family.
But Ms Reeves stressed that she will not be receiving free clothes in future, after a furious backlash at the host of gifts accepted by senior party figures including Sir Keir.
Touring broadcast studios, Ms Reeves confirmed she accepted £7,500 of clothing donations from friend Juliet Rosenfeld.
She told Times Radio: Juliet and me have been friends for a long time, and she said to me about a year-and-a-half ago I want to help you in the election campaign and the thing Id really like to do is make sure that for big events and for the campaign trail, youre smart and well turned out.
I really appreciated that, shes made a big difference to me. Thats not something that Im going to do in government.
She added: I can understand that to a lot of people it looks a bit odd. I get that.
Ms Reeves also told Times Radio that the really important thing is that were always transparent.
These are not things were going to do in government, but everything was declared, she said.
Asked whether tickets to pop concerts and football matches would still be accepted, she said: As long as things are declared properly, so people can see if theres any conflict of interest, I think its fine to go to the football and to go to a pop concert. I dont begrudge people doing that.
Gary Neville offered his staunch support to Sir Keir Starmer over the freebies row that has dogged Labour s conference in Liverpool
Gary Neville today offered his staunch support to Sir Keir over the freebies row that has dogged Labours conference in Liverpool.
The former footballer claimed criticism of the Prime Minister was absolutely incredible as he defended Sir Keir for taking top-end football tickets.
Neville, a Labour Party member, said he was struggling with the focus on the PMs donations as he hit out at the absolute corruption of the previous Tory government.
The 49-year-old - who appeared alongside Sir Keir in a Labour election broadcast this summer - also suggested it was too soon to judge the new Governments performance, following a bumpy start to life in No10 for the PM.
Sir Keir has endured a miserable start to his first party conference as PM due to the close scrutiny of his links to millionaire Labour peer Lord Waheed Alli.
The businessman, who was handed a Downing Street pass shortly after Labour won power, donated thousands of pounds worth of suits and glasses to Sir Keir.
Should Sir Keir Starmer be allowed to accept freebies? MailOnline asks the public what they REALLY think of the PM accepting gifts
Britons across the country have blasted Sir Keir Starmer for accepting freebies after it emerged that the Prime Minister has received substantially more donations than any other MP since 2019.
The Labour leader is facing a major backlash over the thousands of pounds in gifts he has received, including how he has now accepted a hospitality box to watch his beloved Arsenal play at the Emirates.
Sir Keir and his wife, Lady Victoria Starmer have also been embroiled in a wardrobegate scandal over accepting lavish gifts from millionaire businessman Lord Waheed Alli.
The PM insisted that rules are being followed after it emerged Lord Alli had bought more than £5,000 for Lady Starmer.
Sir Keir, who has also accepted suits and spectacles worth £18,865 from Lord Alli, was alleged to have broken rules by failing to declare donations of high-end clothing for his wife within a designated time limit.
As the crisis deepened, MailOnline took to the streets to ask the public what they think about Sir Keir accepting an Arsenal box - and accepting £107,000 in gifts since becoming Labour leader, more than two and a half times more than any other MP.
Mary Gains, 72, from Newcastle, said: I dont know how he can sleep at night, what a disgrace.
Sheila Hackett, from Bristol, said: He is getting loads and loads of freebies including his football club, when a lot of people cant afford to go, its awful.
I voted for him on the last election but never again. I would go back to Conservative.
The 67-year-old added: Since weve had the Labour party, we earned £450 a year worse off than we were before they came into power.
We havent had the budget yet either, so that would be interesting.
I think it is wrong. I understand accepting the freebies and I think everybody would accept them.
I would ask him, if you are getting all these freebies can we have our winter allowance back please, for the pensioners?
Just stop taking freebies, Id know we all do it but there is a line.
The Premier League is one of the biggest donors of hospitality and Sir Keir has received almost £40,000 in football tickets. He has accepted numerous tickets for Arsenal manages costing well over £6,000.
Sheila Hackett, from Bristol, said: He is getting loads and loads of freebies including his football club, when a lot of people cant afford to go, its awful.
John Mather, 70, a retired pipe fitter, said: They shouldnt accept freebies. When I was at work, you werent allowed to accept gifts.
Raymond Stanley, 72, and Lesley Stanley, 74, blasted disgusting Sir Keir Starmer for accepting gits
In Newcastle, John Mather, 70, a retired pipe fitter, said: Hes got a season ticket for Arsenal and theyve given him that because hes the PM.
They shouldnt be getting these perks, and for clothes. When I was working, I was allowed work gear for £25 a year and that was it. And that wouldnt cover my work gear. Its a disgrace.
I think its disgusting... it makes me very angry.
Raymond Stanley, a retired engineer, said: Its disgusting, its everything hes been doing since hes come in. I voted Labour thinking well get change. Its disgusting, I wouldnt vote for them again.
The 72-year-old added: They shouldnt accept freebies. When I was at work, you werent allowed to accept gifts.
Claire Tait, 44, a full time mother, said: Its disgusting, especially with the state of the country at the moment. I dont agree with it at all. I think its diabolical really, not right at all. Its all wrong.
Sir Keir has defended his decision to accept corporate hospitality from Arsenal, arguing that he can no longer use his normal seats as PM because it would cost the taxpayer more in security.
Claire Tait, 44, a full time mother, said: Its disgusting, especially with the state of the country at the moment.
Lottie Wood, 19, a waitress, said: I dont think its fair. They already have so much going on, its fair enough to be invited to get a ticket, but I dont think you should get a box.
Terence Hutchinson, 55, on disability benefits, said: Theyve got so much money, he doesnt need a gift, he can buy whatever he wants.
Jacob Canby, 28, research scientist, said: I did see it would cost the taxpayer more for security if he paid for a ticket in the stands, but he shouldnt be accepting those for free.
I dont want our system to start looking like America, where lobbyists spend millions and have way more influence over legislation than they should.
Lottie Wood, 19, a waitress, said: I dont think its fair. They already have so much going on, its fair enough to be invited to get a ticket, but I dont think you should get a box. I dont think singling it out as a Labour issue is fair, but that doesnt mean its just.
Terence Hutchinson, 55, on disability benefits, said: Theyve got so much money, he doesnt need a gift, he can buy whatever he wants. I wouldnt vote for anyone, theyre all the same. That money could go to some good.
Mary Gains, 72, said: What a disgrace. With the fuel allowance and talking about taking the bus passes off, it will be prescriptions next.
They shouldnt be accepting. When I worked at the civic centre, you werent allowed to take a tip. Its like a bribe - its terrible isnt it. I dont know how he can sleep at night, what a disgrace.
Others were more sympathetic to the PM, including unemployed Bob Taylor, 41, who said: Im happy for him. He is entitled to have that, and he is the Prime Minister.
Bob Taylor, 41, defended Starmer and said: Im happy for him. He is entitled to have that, and he is the Prime Minister.
I think the Tories wouldve probably done the same.
Im an Arsenal fan and If I was in the same position, I wouldve done the same as Starmer, who wouldnt?
Mr Taylor, from Bristol, added: Its Arsenals venue they can do what they want. I really dont see why people are frustrated.
But Kathleen Gibb, 79, said: He should let Arsenal fans who are pensioners have that.
Its morally wrong for him to have accepted that.
On him receiving £100,000 worth of gifts for free, she said: Wow, knowing his past reputation, I am not a bit surprised but that doesnt make it right though.
I think it is wrong he is receiving these gifts. He is in a position that he doesnt need gifts from anybody.
If he accepts them he should pass them on but overall he shouldnt accept them.
